Ed Day, pictured here at quarterback for Ocean Springs against Hancock last September, has transferred to a Birmingham, Ala., school.File Photo/Gulflive.com

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- June didn't get off to the best of starts for Ocean Springs head football coach Ryan Ross.

On the evening of June 1, Ross received a call from his starting quarterback, Ed Day informing him the Day family was returning to their roots in the Birmingham, Ala., area.

"At first, it's devastating," Ross said of his reaction. "You've lost your senior starting quarterback. I've been coaching him since I came here."

Day has already enrolled for the fall semester at Oak Mountain High School in suburban Birmingham.

"I think it was more family reasons than anything," Ross said. "They are from there and the two daughters are both going to school at the University of Alabama."

So, just like that, Ross went from having a seasoned signal caller who started all 11 games for Ocean Springs last year to now handing the reigns to junior quarterback Drew Windham, who played only sparingly a year ago. Also in the mix is Ross' son, sophomore Hogan Ross.

Windham is the younger brother of former Greyhound all-star QB Wes Windham. He played in four games a year ago, completing 3 of 11 passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.

"As a football program, you basically build for things like this," Ross said. "You know the old saying: next man up. We're fortunate to have two talented players at that position who are still here."

Ross said there's little question his squad will miss Day's experience, as well as the luxury of depth at the position.

Last season, Day completed 82 of 166 passes (49.4 percent) for 1,277 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also threw 11 interceptions. But the athletic Day was equally dangerous with his legs, rushing 76 times for 373 yards (4.9 avg.) and three more scores.

"The comfort of knowing I've got three capable quarterbacks has been diminished," he said. "If (Day) was a right guard, it's no big deal, but you're talking about the trigger-man for your offense."

And it's an offense that has changed. Gone is the spread offense Ross has utilized since he arrived in Ocean Springs. In its place is an attack more geared to the run in the hopes of being a more physical, ball-control oriented team.

Ross the offensive change occurred long before Day announced his departure.

"We started learning, installing this offense in January," he said. "It fits our personnel better -- and I'm talking program-wide, not just the varsity. We've done well with the spread, but we're trying to put the kids in better position for success."

Ross said his son was further along with the new offense than Windham due to Windham's absence during spring practice as he played on the Greyhound baseball squad, but said Windham will likely be the starter this fall.

"We going to work both of them in the fall," Ross said, "but in terms of overall readiness to play, Drew is the guy."